Lodi: Church Art, Museums and River Landscapes

At the entrance to the crypt of Lodi Cathedral Basilica is a Romanesque relief of the Last Supper dating from the 12th century. Construction of the cathedral began either in autumn 1158 or in spring 1159; inside, rounded arches divide the building into three naves. Lodi’s architectural history and sacred art are evident in details of many kinds.

Church Art and Architectural History

The Church of San Francesco is one of Lodi’s significant medieval buildings; its origins date back to 1252. The third chapel in the right aisle contains 22 panels by Gian Giacomo da Lodi, dating from 1477. They depict scenes from the life of Saint Bernardino of Siena. The church also preserves a particularly comprehensive overview of Lodigian painting from the 14th century onward.

The Church of San Lorenzo is Lodi’s oldest church after the cathedral. Its apse fresco by Callisto Piazza depicts the Resurrection. The Church of Sant’Agnese dates from the 14th century and passed to the Augustinian Order of the Hermits in 1351. The church houses Alberto Piazza’s large Galliani Polyptych.

Museums and Collections

The centerpiece of the permanent exhibition at the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is the rediscovered, reconstructed and restored polyptych L’Assunzione by Alberto Piazza. The museum’s second location is in the renovated 16th-century Church of San Cristoforo on Via Fanfulla. The Museum of the Treasure of the Incoronata is located beneath the Temple of the Incoronata. Its collections include sacred furnishings, two illuminated codices and worked copper vessels.

The Ettore Archinti Museum displays the original tools Archinti used to create his works, along with bronzes and plaster casts, including Forse è meglio che tu non veda. The digitized collection of the newspaper Avanti! can be viewed there on a computer. Check current opening hours and visitor arrangements before visiting the museum.

The Small Museum of Peoples preserves objects from Togo and Israel donated by Padre Innocente Mariconti. The collection has been in place since the museum was founded in 1996. As of August 25, 2026, the museum was temporarily inaccessible; no reopening date had been set. Check whether it has since reopened before visiting.

Cycling Routes and River Landscapes

The Lodigiano lies between the Adda, Lambro and Po rivers; to the north, the Muzza-Addetta Canal forms the boundary. The Parco Adda Sud stretches along the lower Adda, a regional river and agricultural park with areas in the Lodigiano and Cremonese. Several signposted cycling routes run along paved and unpaved roads as well as existing trail sections. Check current route conditions before setting out.

The cycling route from Lodi to Zelo Buon Persico passes old farmsteads and picturesque villages. Along the Adda River, it offers views and passes old mills. An interactive map in Lodi identifies more than 30 sculptures, monuments and memorial statues. There is also an interactive guided tour of sculptures and monuments, about 5 km long, which can be completed in person or virtually.

Parco Ittico Paradiso is a protected area where plants and animals coexist. This wooded river area covers 130,000 square meters. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Festivals and Seasonal Culture

The feast of Saint Bassianus is held in Lodi on January 19. In the cathedral crypt, elaborately decorated votive candles are presented to the bishop. Craft stalls are especially concentrated in Piazza della Vittoria; the selection may vary. The Rassegna Gastronomica del Lodigiano is considered the Lodigiano’s most important food and wine event, celebrating the authenticity and quality of local produce. Dates and programs may vary. A summer music series brings live concerts to one of Lodi’s historic cloisters; check the specific dates before traveling.

Getting There

The driving distance to Lodi via the Autostrada del Sole is 30 km from Milan, 172 km from Bologna and 27 km from Piacenza. Check current road conditions before setting out.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Borghetto Lodigiano, Lodi, Guardamiglio, Ospedaletto Lodigiano, Montanaso Lombardo, Camairago, Sant'angelo Lodigiano, Lodi Vecchio, Cornegliano Laudense, Casalpusterlengo, Muzza Sant'angelo, Codogno, Corno Giovine, Caviaga, San Martino In Strada, Mignete, Boffalora D'adda, Tavazzano con Villavesco, Zelo Buon Persico, Bertonico, Maleo, Chiavicone.

For the overview of the wider region: Lombardy.